Bosnich appeal fails

A Premier League board has upheld four of the five punishments imposed on Mark Bosnich by Chelsea .

The Australian goalkeeper appealed against Chelsea's decision to fine him for failing a drugs test.

The board sat to hear the case last week but adjourned a decision until today.

The three-man panel found in favour of Bosnich in respect of one penalty, but dismissed his appeal in respect of the remaining four penalties. One further penalty was withdrawn by Chelsea prior to the appeal hearing.

Both parties have been given seven days in which to appeal.

Today's judgement represents the latest stage of the complicated round of hearings and legal wranglings which have embroiled Bosnich.

Bosnich, who is serving a nine-month Football Association suspension from the sport, had an appeal against his dismissal from Stamford Bridge upheld by the Football League appeals committee on June 13.

And the 31-year-old, who claims he failed the test because his drink was unknowingly spiked, had also asked for the fine handed out by his former employers to be lifted.

His FA ban has three months to run, stretching until September 23, and his appeal against the suspension is also still ongoing.